Talk to anyone around the program and they will tell you that 9th is far too low of an expectation for this team. The general perception around the league is that Carter and Falls carried this overachieving team as far as possible last year. However, with an established big man in Kurz returning as well as stacked junior and senior classes, there is no reason why the Irish can't return to the Big East semis once or twice in the next two seasons.

I stand by my prediction for 5th, but would not be surprised if this team returns to the Top 4 this year. Any spot below 6th or 7th would be very disappointing in my opinion.